Sores in the genital area

Genital herpes is caused by a virus and results in small sores in the genital area, which are usually quite uncomfortable, even painful....

Question

A female friend has some sores in the genital area, which she thinks may be genital herpes.

Is there a cure, or is it like cold sores around the mouth that can be treated but not cured?

What treatment would you recommend?

Answer

Genital herpes is caused by a virus and results in small sores in the genital area, which are usually quite uncomfortable, even painful.

You are right that they are rather like cold sores, in that the virus can lie dormant in the skin, which can appear quite normal, and then in response to some stress to the system, like an infection, anxiety, hormonal imbalance or even intercourse, can flare up again.

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This can go on happening for a long time.

The first attack is usually the worst and subsequent episodes are not so severe and do not last as long.

Although there is no guaranteed cure there are some antiviral agents that can be used that will help minimise the attacks and in some cases stop them happening.

The simplest form of these is a cream called Zovirax, but the most effective are tablets that are taken by mouth.

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They are expensive and must be prescribed by a doctor.

It is important that your friend gets some expert advice. The best way to do that is to go to a specialist genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Most hospitals have such a clinic, the number of which will be in the phone book. Patients attending these clinics can make their own appointments without a letter from their doctor.

The clinic can do tests to confirm whether this is genital herpes or not and give advice and treatment to be used in the event of a further attack.

It is important for your friend to remember that this condition can be passed on, even when they there are no obvious sores present, and so a condom should always be used for intercourse to protect her partner.

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